Ultrabroadband (>2000 cm^−1) multiplex coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering spectroscopy using a subnanosecond supercontinuum light source

We have developed ultrabroadband (>2000 cm(-1)) multiplex coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) spectroscopy using a subnanosecond (sub-ns) microchip laser source. A photonic crystal fiber specifically designed for sub-ns supercontinuum (SC) generation has been used for obtaining ultrabroadband Stokes radiation, which enables us to achieve simultaneous vibrational excitation in the range from 800 to 3000 cm(-1). We have successfully obtained multiplex CARS spectra for several molecular liquids. Since the CARS system using the sub-ns SC is simple and compact, it can be easily applied to ultrabroadband multiplex CARS microspectroscopy.